Finalizing 10 days Switzerland Itinerary starting in Milan and ending in Frankfurt

Posted by Nuji K (Austin, TX) on 02/22/25 05:39 PM

Hello, my husband and I will be arriving in Milan on 5/25/2025
We are staying three nights during which we will do a day trip to Lake Como.
On 5/28 leaving in AM to start 10 day trip to Switzerland and ultimately flying back home from Frankfurt to US in the AM on 6/7.
I wanted to share the itinerary below we've built so far to get some advice before finalizing.
We will be traveling by train, no car.
We both enjoy a mix of hiking, beautiful scenery, strolling around the town, seeing the local sites, culture etc. Husband enjoys beer and we both love wine.
This will be our first time in Switzerland.

5/28 Milan to Zermatt, stay two nights
5/30 Zermatt to Montreaux, stay two nights
6/1 Montreaux to Lauterbrunnen, stay three nights
6/4 Lauterbrunnen to Lucerne, stay one night
6/5 Lucerne to Zurich, stay one night
6/6 Zurich to Frankfurt, stay one night
6/7 Frankfurt to US

Questions:
1) Swiss Travel Pass would make sense for us?
2) I know there are several day trips we can make from Montreaux but with only having two nights - what would you recommend?
-Glacier 3000, worth a whole day?
-Lavaux vineyards?
-Rochers de Naye?
3) Being first timers, Lauterbrunnen vs Wengen vs Grindelwald as our base? Plan to do whatever hikes would be available to us at that time in the surrounding towns (6/1-6/4), day trip to Interlaken possibly the day we arrive, day trip to Murren, Gimmelwald, Stechelberg etc. Looking for mostly mild to moderate level hikes. Jungfrao or Schilthorn if weather cooperates?
4) The last few nights are one night stops in Lucerne and Zurich. Is it better to stay in Zurich two nights and do a day trip to Lucerne or open to any other suggestions. Ultimately need to get to Frankfurt by 6/6 evening.
5) Open to any modifications to this itinerary if you have any advice to offer.

Appreciate any insight you have. Thank you in advance for taking the time!

Posted by Sam

Green Bay

02/22/25 06:22 PM

21566 posts

In reverse order.

4) The last few nights are one night stops in Lucerne and Zurich. Is it better to stay in Zurich two nights and do a day trip to Lucerne or open to any other suggestions. Ultimately need to get to Frankfurt by 6/6 evening.

Stay 2 nights in Luzern and skip Zurich. Travel time to Frankfurt is the same and cost the same and Luzern is worth 2 nights, giving you a full day to explore the lake and mountain tops (Pilatus, Rigi, or Stanserhorn).

3) Being first timers, Lauterbrunnen vs Wengen vs Grindelwald as our base?

Wengen for sure. Car free and on the mountain.

day trip to Interlaken possibly the day we arrive

Since you will pass through Interlaken on the way, just stop there for a few hours on the way. There are luggage lockers at Interlaken Ost station.

2) I know there are several day trips we can make from Montreaux but with only having two nights - what would you recommend?

Lavaux vinyards, Roche de Naye, Chateau Chillon

1) Swiss Travel Pass would make sense for us?

Possibly. It will be most convenient, but if you want to save money, the Half Fare Card will save the most money, although you will have to buy tickets for each journey. That is easy these days with the Swiss App. Also, you might consider the Jungfrau Travel Pass in the Berner Oberland. That will give you free travel on all the lifts not covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. You get a discount on this pass with either the STP or the HFC. The Jungfrau is always extra, but you get a better price with the JTP than the STP.